The campaign, launched last week by Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, aims to have no drugs and no dealers in local communities, and to have local communities declared ‘drug free’, within three months.
As such, local police have ramped up their efforts with an undeclared zero-tolerance policy, and are now arresting people found with even just seven methamphetamine pills (ya bah).
Leading the anti-drugs offensive are law enforcers in Thalang District, with their ‘Carpet Re X-Ray in every subdistrict/village’ campaign. Thalang is the only area on the island where a major drug arrest has been announced since the latest anti-drug campaign began.
On Wednesday (July 23), between 5pm and 10pm, local enforcement teams ‒ including Volunteer Defense Corps members, village headmen, health officers and local Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor) security personnel ‒ set up checkpoints in Moo 5, Mai Khao; Moo 3, Cherng Talay; Moo 8, 10 and 11, Thepkrasattri; Moo 4 and Moo 6, Pa Khlok; and Moo 1, Srisoonthorn.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects after ya bah pills and two bullets were found during vehicle and personal searches. In addition, 160 people were randomly tested for drugs, with 24 returning positive results. Those individuals have agreed to enter a treatment programme voluntarily.
The mass checkpoints followed the Phuket Provincial Special Operations Unit on Tuesday night (July 22) arresting a 28-year-old man in Soi Nakian, Srisoonthorn, following a tip-off that he was selling drugs to teenagers near a local playground.
The suspect was caught with 40 ya bah pills, a mobile phone and a Honda Scoopy motorcycle. He now faces charges of possession of Category 1 narcotics with intent to sell and using narcotics while operating a vehicle. He was taken to Thalang Police Station for prosecution.
Kamala Police, in coordination with Kathu District officials, also launched an anti-drug campaign targeting the Kamala-Patong and Kamala-Cherng Talay roads from 8pm last night (July 24).
Two men who were arrested were named as ‘Mr Witat’, 39, from Pattani, found with 20 ya bah pills, and ‘Mr Phatthanaphong’, 44, from Phuket, found with four pills.
Both suspects had the drugs stored in small resealable plastic bags and were handed over to Kamala Police Station for legal action.
On Tuesday night July 22, 9pm and 1am, officials from Mueang Phuket District, along with the Special Operations Unit of the Administrative Division and OrSor security personnel, carried out a search operation at the sea gypsy village in Rawai. The raid was prompted by intelligence reports about ongoing drug activity in the area.
During the search, officers discovered five bags containing a total of 37 ya bah pills, 19 bags of crystal meth weighing a total of 8.98 grammes, 250 B100 notes amounting to B25,000 in cash, and a black VIVO mobile phone.
The items were found hidden inside a water tank and on a shelf in front of a house near the entrance to the village. No one claimed ownership of the items. All evidence was collected and handed over to Chalong Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings.
In another operation, Mueang Phuket District officials and OrSor personnel conducted a targeted search in Soi Phunphon Soi 11, in Talat Nuea, Phuket Town, after receiving complaints from residents about the open sale of drugs along the roadside both during the day and at night.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects: ‘Mr Sattawat’ (or ‘Kik’), 46, was found in possession of 11 ya bah pills. He was charged with possession of Category 1 narcotics with intent to sell without permission, and with illegal drug use.
‘Mr Aphichat’ (or ‘Pae’), 53, was found with four bags of crystal meth weighing 2.15g. He was charged with possession of Category 1 narcotics with intent to sell without permission, and with illegal drug use.
‘Mr Somsak’ (or ‘Flash’), 46, was found with four bags of crystal meth weighing 1.98g and 27 ya bah pills. He was charged with possession of both substances with intent to sell, and illegal use of Category 1 narcotics.
‘Mr Phonchai’ (or ‘Lek’), 47, was found with one bag of crystal meth weighing 1.23g and nine ya bah pills. He was charged with illegal possession and use of Category 1 narcotics.
All four suspects were taken to Phuket City Police Station for legal proceedings.
In Wichit, ongoing investigations and patrol operations led to a string of arrests over two days.
Last night (July 24), police apprehended ‘Mr Somkid’, 28, from Phang Nga, in possession of six meth pills and a knife. He also tested positive for drug use. His arrest led police to a rented house in Soi Na Suea, where ‘Mr Preechanat’, 31, from Trang, and ‘Mr Adison’, 26, from Phang Nga, were caught using drugs. Both tested positive and were taken in for prosecution.
Two days earlier, on Tuesday, Wichit Police also arrested ‘Mr Phontep’, 39, and ‘Mr Saosathi’, 27, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, along with ‘Mr Bencharong’, 34, a local Phuket resident, who also tested positive for drugs.
Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, Superintendent of Wichit Police Station, said the crackdown is part of a broader directive from Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum.
All stations have been ordered to intensify efforts against drug distribution networks and user groups, he said.
“We have identified small-time dealers and major local suppliers. Our officers are in the process of compiling evidence to request arrest warrants and initiate asset seizure procedures under the law,” Pol Col Somsak said.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub